Karloff’s London: A location guide

Award-winning London-based horror film historian STEPHEN JACOBS is the author of Karloff: More than a Monster.

Today is the 43rd anniversary of Boris Karloff‘s death in Midhurst, Sussex, in 1969. In a Spooky Isles exclusive, top Karloff expert STEPHEN JACOBS (author of Boris Karloff: More than a Monster) has put together a list of locations, including film sites, around London significant in the horror legend’s life.

Boris Karloff’s birthplace is now a fish and chip shop

15 Forest Hill Road, Camberwell [later renumbered to 36]: Boris Karloff is born William Henry Pratt on 23 November 1887. English Heritage blue plaque was unveiled here on 23 November 1998.

Enfield Grammar School and Merchant Taylors School: Two of the schools William Henry Pratt attended as a student.

Kings College, The Strand, London: Karloff claims to have taken an evening class here in Chinese language and culture. Stephen Jacobs and the college’s archivist could not find any records verifying the claim.

St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Enfield

St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Enfield: Karloff – then William Henry Pratt – first took the stage here in Christmas 1896, aged 9, as the Demon King in Cinderella.

Duchess Street, Mayfair: The Karloffs take a flat here in 1933 after Karloff returns to England to make The Ghoul (1933).

St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden: Known as The Actors’ Church, St Paul’s has a memorial plaque dedicated to Boris Karloff.

For more information on Boris Karloff, read Stephen Jacobs’ brilliant Boris Karloff: More than a Monster – one of only two books ever to be endorsed by the Karloff family. Click here to visit Stephen Jacobs’ More than a Monster website and read Spooky Isles’ interview with Stephen Jacobs here.